A forum titled "Zero-Carbon Cities: Promoting International Collaboration in Circular Economy" was recently held in Shanghai's Hongqiao Business District as part of the China International Import Expo (CIIE). The event was organized by The Paper (Pengpai News) with academic support from the Yangtze River Delta Circular Economy Technology Research Institute.

The forum brought together experts who have been involved in various aspects of circular economy over the past two decades, including legislation, policy-making, academic research, international cooperation, industrial practices, and social advocacy.

During the round-table discussion focused on "China's Circular Economy: 20 Years of Experience and Future Path," Professor Sun Youhai, Dean of Tianjin University's Law School, shared valuable insights. As the former director of the Bill Office of the Environmental and Resources Protection Committee of the National People's Congress and head of the Circular Economy Law drafting group, Professor Sun reflected on the development of China's Circular Economy Promotion Law.

In his speech, Sun emphasized several significant achievements of the legislation. The law successfully elevated circular economy from an unfamiliar concept to legal status in China. Unlike overseas legislation that focused on end-of-pipe treatment, it emphasized source reduction, reuse, and resource utilization. The law also established an effective institutional system for implementation, and notably, gained international recognition for leading global trends in circular economy development.

The forum also featured other distinguished speakers, including Professor Du Huanzheng from Tongji University, Guan Yisong from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Beijing office, Wu Yanyan from BMW Group, and Ni Huan, founder of Green Light Year.

The event concluded with the release of research findings from The Paper's "Sustainable Path: Transnational Circular Actions" project, which included ten best practice cases of transnational circular initiatives and recommendations for China's circular economy development.

By Eva Yin